‘Shilpa Shetty Had Not Kissed, But Was Kissed’: Mumbai Court Notes In The 2007 Richard Gere KISSING Case
Mumbai Court has stated that there was no evidence of obscenity on Shilpa Shetty’s part in the infamous 2007 Richard Gere kissing case
It was in 2007, that during an AIDS awareness programme in Rajasthan Hollywood actor Richard Gere had kissed actress Shilpa Shetty on the cheek. The entire ordeal had caused an uproar amongst the masses and many cases were filed against both the actors. While the charges against the international star were dropped shortly after, Shetty is still facing the brunt 15 years later. Last week it was earlier reported that the actress was discharged in the case.
A detailed order of the same was made available on Tuesday. As reported by PTI, the prosecution had pleaded with the magistrate and stated that there was ample evidence against Shilpa to frame charges against IPC section 292 for obscenity, provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. Prashant Patil, who represented the actress in the court, opposed the pleas stating that “the lower court’s order was proper and a legal one.” ALSO READ: Shilpa Shetty-Richard Gere KISSING Case: Mumbai Court Upholds Magistrate Order Discharging Actress In Obscenity Case-Reports
According to India.com, the court on April 3 had stated that since Shetty “had not kissed, but was kissed,” obscenity on her part is not evident. In a statement they said, “A woman being groped on the street or touched on a public way or in public transport cannot be termed as accused or participative to an extent of mental culpability and she cannot be held for illegal omission to make her liable for prosecution.” ALSO READ: Shilpa Shetty Kundra Becomes Proud Owner Of Luxurious Super Car ‘Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600’ And Its Cost Will Blow Your Mind!
The court also addressed the allegation of indecent representation of women. They explained that the Act means “the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to, or denigrating women, or are likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals.” The court went on to reveal that the 47-year-old star never committed such an act. Having considered all the materials placed on the record and police papers, there is no material to frame charges against the accused.
Last year in January, Shilpa Shetty was discharged from the case after metropolitan magistrate Ketaki Chavan observed that the charges levelled against her were groundless. In its order, the court said, “On reading the complaint, it seems that the present accused i.e. Shilpa Shetty is the victim of alleged acts of accused No. 1 (Gere).” In her plea, the Dhadkan actress called herself a victim of malicious proceedings and harassment. She said she would file a separate proceeding against the complainant for initiating a false case.
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